Brand Philosophy

“Emotional” Abuse

September 30th, 2009

Emotions- we don’t believe that “emotion” can or should be woven into every brand story in the hopes of “snagging” more customers. We don’t believe that “emotions” should be, nor do we believe that they can be exploited at brand will. We don’t believe that an emotional connection to a brand will […]

Read More
Membership Requirements

October 14th, 2009

Professional associations are a critical component in the US business ecology.  The ASAE Center for Association Leadership reports that:  There are 147,000 incorporated associations in the US 1,000 new associations are being formed each year 9 out of 10 US adults belong to one association 1 out 4 US adults […]

Read More
Mind Your P’s and Q’s

January 12th, 2010

Brand is more than just “looking good”.  An authentic brand requires doing good. Just putting a pink ribbon on your product doesn’t make you socially responsible. “Certified Organic,” “Carbon Neutral,” and “No Trans Fats” claims on your packaging won’t achieve it either. A brand isn’t socially responsible unless they are […]

Read More
Energizing Utilities

March 17th, 2010

The philosophy and relevance behind brand development has proven to have utility across a wide and diverse range of interests. Brands distinguish organizations, churches, teams, industries, destinations, associations, events, museums, causes, institutions, politics, clusters, professions, movements, buildings, and the arts, one from another, when services offered don’t. It should come […]

Read More
An Oath To Do No Harm

April 19th, 2010

All children’s brands should be guided by an internalized dictum to “first, do no harm” that aligns organizational purpose, business strategy, brand management, and the optimal development of children. This sworn commitment requires a guiding philosophy that holds collective ability and judgment accountable, demands respect for scientific discovery, and vows […]

Read More
Brand’s Overprotective Mother

April 28th, 2010

I can’t tell if what I am seeing is a gross over simplification or just a lackluster attempt to ‘spin’ a brand, get on with the show or turn a buck. What I do know is that the inherent power of brand to tell a vibrant story, capture the essence of […]

Read More
Relevant Brands Protect Girls

April 28th, 2010

View the 2010 Threats to Girlhood Report Threats to Girlhood include all of the issues, mindsets, factors, trends, and circumstances that impact girls’ lifelong health, wellness, happiness, and ability to succeed. Identifying current Threats to Girlhood is an important step towards advancing the well being of girls, the possibilities for women, […]

Read More
Mayo, Lettuce, and Magazines on Rye

June 23rd, 2010

Make art- not advertising. Whether it’s a two page spread in a print publication or a vertical banner on a website, at BlackDog, we believe if the ad you’re placing isn’t as interesting, attractive, and useful to readers as the content it’s sandwiched between, you’ve missed the Big Idea.  Promotions that are […]

Read More
The Past Begets the Future

September 23rd, 2010

Urban renewal gained a justifiably notorious connotation following World War II. For more than 70 years countries followed architectural, city planning and governmental policies that were based on the ideas of a few and the will of even fewer .   In putting commerce ahead of community we built places that […]

Read More
365: How Important are “Core Values”?

January 12th, 2011

How do you feel about a company’s “core values”? I went to a conference 1/11/11 and the speakers talked about establishing 3 or 4 “core values” for your company/brand that will never change. They say this is the guiding post for everything they do as a company. I would love […]

Read More